Communication system



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July 7, 1942 H. J. NICHOLS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM Filed Aug. 17, 1940 14 Sheets-Sheet 11 ngi July 7, 1942. H. J. NICHOLS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM -`Filec'l Aug. 17, 1940 14 Sheets-Sheet l2 Plaza.

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July 7, 1942. H. J. NICHOLS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM Filed Aug, 17, 1940 14 Sheets-Sheet 13 ATTORNEY.

July 7, 1942. H. J. NICHOLS COMMUNICATION SYSTEM Filed Aug. 17, 1940 14 Sheets-Sheet 14 A TTORN E Y- Patented July 7, 1942 COMMUNICATION SYSTEM Harry J. Nichols, Binghamton, N. Y., assignor to International Business Machines Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application August 17, 1940, Serial No. 353,114

13 Claims.

The present invention relates to interoice or interstation communication systems and more particularly to communication systems for interconnecting separate typewriters of a certain standard construction, wherein the operation of any one typewriter, in a normal manner, can be either isolated, at will, from the operation of the system, to permit ordinary individual operation of the typewriters or, on the other hand, operation oi one typewriter in the normal manner can be utilized to produce a copy, at a sending station, of the intelligence to be transmitted, and to simultaneously operate a second or receiving similar typewriter or a plurality of such receiving typewriters at remote points. `In like manner, each of the plurality of receiving typewriters can be utilized, when desired, as sending typewriters and means are provided for break-in by a receive station, so that the direction of transmission can be reversed when necessary or desired.

In devices oi the prior art wherein interoice messages have been transmitted, special machines which are not the usual standard equipment of business cinces have been employed. There have also been previously provided, electrical interconnecting systems for standard typewriters, but such systems have required either an extensive modication of the mechanical structure of the typewriter itself, to adapt it to such a system, or have required complicated mechanical permutation bar devices for translating a received signal, in order to produce selective actuation of a character key bar in accordance with the signal received.

Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide novel means for interconnecting and operating two or more standard office equipment typewriters, such as the well known Electromatic typewriter, so that such a standard instrument is utilized with very little additional equipment, in an interofce communication system, to produce speedy and accurate transmission and reception of messages.

Another object is to provide a novel startstop system of communication for interconnecting two or more of a certain type of standard office typewriter, including means for setting up a code signal of electrical impulses representative of a character or function wherein a minimum number of signal channels is utilized for interconnecting machines.

A further object is to provide a novel system of communication for interconnecting at least two standard oiiice typewriters, comprising means 55 stop clutch.

controlled by each depressed key of the keyboard for setting up, in a simple and direct manner, a code combination of signal impulses representative of the function or character associated with the depressed key and including start and stop signal impulses, said code combination comprising a plurality of electrical impulses of identical chcaracteristics and of equal duration, a single signal channel forV interconnecting the typewriters; means for transmitting selectively and sequentially through said channel, the individual elements or impulses of a signal, representing a particular function or character, and a combined mechanical-electrical translator controlled by the selecting elements of the code combination for selectively energizing, at a standard receiving typewriter, solely the operating solenoid of the key bar corresponding to the key depressed at the sending station, for operating said corresponding key bar, whereby the depression of a chosen character key of a standard typewriter at one station produces the typing of the selected character at a remote station by `means of a similar standard typewriter.

Still another object is to provide a novel system of interoiiice or interstation communication including at least a pair of standard omce typewritershaving a mcdied keyboard, a series of solenoids, one for each character key, means controlled by va selected character key for producing a combination of signal code elements representative of the character, means for interconnecting the respective typewriter solenoids including one signal channel only, over which the code signal elements representative of said character are sequentially transmitted, start-stop, send-receive distributor means for sending or receiving, respectively, at separate stations, and

.in synchronism, the code elements comprising a representative signal, `and mechanical-electrical translator means for receiving said code elements, translating the same, and selectively choosing that solenoid only, which corresponds to the key depressed at the sending station.

A further object is to provide a novel composing permutation unit whereby the code elements comprising a signal, representative of a chosen depressed character key, are set up or composed in a simple and in a differential manner.

Another object is t0 provide a novel clutch for operation of the start-stop mechanisms at the sending and receiving stations.

A further object is to provide a novel single revolution or'non-idling mechanism for the startprinting devices such as oilice typewriters suitable for ordinary office work and also utilized for producing code signal permutations representative of a character and controllable by remotely originating signals, to type a character, and means for electrically interconnecting a pair of such devices by a minimum number of signal channels for signal transmission therebetween.

Fig. 2 is a schematic view, in skeleton outline only, illustrating fundamentally how the operation of a character key produces a code permutation of signal components representative of the particular character, which components, in turn, are relayed in seriatim, to the line, by a distributor assembly, and also illustrating how a corresponding key bar is electrically operated, by a characteristic signal received from a remote station and translated, to thereby select the corresponding solenoid.

Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating in outline only, a complete communication system including separate sending and receiving stations, respectively, and the circuits for break in.

Fig. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the cirv cuits and elements of a sending mechanism with the send-receive relay energized and the startstop clutch in the normal stop position.

Fig. 5 is a schematic view of a portion of Fig.

4, but With the send-receive relay deenergized and the start-stop clutch in the preliminary stop position.

Fig. 6 is a schematic view of a portion of Fig. 4, with the latch control circuit added but with the send-receive relay deenergized and with the start-stop clutch in the preliminary stop posi-A tion.

Fig. 7 is a schematic View illustrating the circuits and mechanism used in receiving and including the mechanical-electrical translator, the mechanical operating elements of the respective translator cascade switches being indicated schematically only.

Fig. 8 is a plan view illustrating in detail the construction and mounting of the permutationN unit rockshafts and the particular mounting of the universal bail rockshaft and its torque bias spring.

Fig. 9 is a detail view of one of the code rockshafts.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary sectional View illus- "j erating push pins by the cam grooves in a rockshaft and with the contact elements of the switch out of engagement.

Fig, 13 is a view similar to Fig. 12 with the contact elements of the switch in engagement.

Fig. 14 is a fragmentary sectional view illustrating in detail the operation of the rockshaft detent pin for holding the rockshaft in its operated or oscillated position.

Fig. 15 is a plan view, with parts broken away and partly in section, of a distributor combined with one form of novel signal storage mechanism and the means operating the same.

Fig. 16 is a sectional view taken on the line IES-I8 of Fig. 15 illustrating a transmitting cam and push pins and groups of contacts operated thereby.

Fig. 17 is a side View of the device of Fig. l5 with parts removed illustrating the arrangement of the cascade switch tongues controlled by the signal storage tumblers.

Fig. 18 is a sectional view taken on line la-Et of Fig. 17 illustrating the mounting of the respective tumblers,` the operating cams therefor,

and the cascade switchtongues controlledby a tumbler.

Fig. 19 is a schematic view illustrating in detail the relativecircumierential arrangement of the respective transmitting and control cams and contact operating push pins.

Fig. 20 is a schematic view illustrating in detail the relative circumferential positions of the respective receive cams for operating the translator tumblers.

Fig. 21 is a diagrammatic illustration of a set of specific line conditions affecting the device of Fig. 22.

Fig. 22 is a schematic diagram illustrating the storage tumblers of the novel form of storage mechanism, as illustrated in Figs. l5 and 18 and their respective positions in accordance with the line conditions as diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 2l.

Fig. 23 is a side View of another form of selector or storage mechanism for operating the respective cas-cade switch tongues.

Fig. 24 is an end View, partly in section, ci the device of Fig. 23.

Fig. 25 is a side elevation in section of one form of novel start-stop single revolution clutch mechanism.

Fig, 26 is a sectional view of the device of Fig. 25, taken on line 26-26.

Fig. 27 is an exploded perspective view illusktrating the elements comprising a novel startstop clutch mechanism, which is based upon the principle of the clutch of Fig. 25.

Fig. 28 is an end view partly in section illustrating the start-stop mechanism and rebound cam of Fig. 27.

Fig. 29 is a side View, partly in section, illus- 'trating the assembly of the start-stop clutch mechanism of Fig. 27.

Fig. 30 is a side view illustrating a part only, of the clutch of Fig. 29 and schematically illustrating a novel start-stop mechanism to be employed with the clutch of Fig. 29, said mechanism being in its stop position.

Fig. 3'1 is an end view of the device of Fig. 30.

Fig. 32 is a side View similar to Fig. 39, illustrating the novel start-stop mechanism in a released position.

Fig. 33 is an end view of the device of Fig. 32.

Fig. 34 is a side View similar to Fig. 30, illustrating the novel start-stop mechanism with the stop pawl released and in position to stop the clutch.

Fig. 35 is a sectional view of the device in Fig. 30, taken on line 35-35.

Fig. 36 is a perspective view of the shift and carriage release operating and signaling mechanism.

Referring to the drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views and more particularly to Fig. l, the invention is illustrated in the present example as applied to a pair of standard Electromatic typewriters A and B at the sending station A and the receiving station B, respectively, but it is to be expressedly understood that any type of standard oice typewriter can be utilized in the novel combination of the present invention and that any number of typewriters can be so interconnected.

Typewriter A comprises an "Electromatic typewriter provided with a standard keyboard wherein the ty-pebars are power actuated, in a well known manner, upon depression of a chosen character key and wherein a blank key SRKI, controls a send-receive relay (Fig. 3), as will be described in detail later.

Upon depression of any chosen character key, the character is typed on the record sheet 53 at station A and a novel Acomposing perinutaticn unit illustrated schematically in Fig. 2 is conditioned, as will be described later, so that a distinctive electrical signal is produced, composed of a predetermined permutation of similar electrical components, which components, by means of a distributor assembly including novel startstop single revolution clutch mechanism, sendreceive and line relays, respectively, are transmitted sequentially over the line to the typewriter B at the receive station. The respective components, when received at station B, are utilized to produce sequential conditioning of a shuttle magnet (Figs. 7 and 17) controlling a novel translator mechanism, as will be explained in detail later, whereby the tumblers of the transl-ator are operated to adjust the lcascade switch tongues of the translator to thereby choose, one certain key solenoid, similar to KS (Figs. 2 and 7) at the station receiving the signal, which key solenoid corresponds to the character key depressed at the send station. Energization of the corresponding solenoid will, through its connecting spring CS, depress the corresponding character key (Fig. 2) at the receive station B, so that the same character is typed on the record sheet 50 (Fig. 1) at both the send and receive stations. Similarly, any of the letters can be typed and any function can be performed, so that any message can be typed at station A and signals set up at station A, which when transmitted to station B, will type the same message on the machine at that station.

When the operator at station A Wishes to send a message to station B, to be simultaneously typed upon both machines, the operator at station A, depresses the blank key SRKI, thereby conditioning the machine at station A for sending, station B being normally in receive condition, all as will be described in detail later. Warning and other signaling means may be provided between stations, in a manner well known in the art, but such warning and signaling means do lnot constitute any part of the present invention.

Referring specifically to Fig. 2, there is illustrated in skeleton outline only, the mechanism and lcircuits for the operation of a chosen character key at station A with the consequent mechanical typing of the selected character at station A and the setting up of means for producing a signal representative of the character, whereby such a signal is transmitted to station B to produce typing of the same character at said station. The operation of the send conditioned Imachine to .produce a signal for remote operation of a receive conditioned machine is as follows: Upon depression of a chosen character key 5I, the key bar 52 is os-cillated about its pivot pin 53 against the force of return spring 5s to move an extension arm 55 downwardly. Upon such downward movement, the bifurcated lower end of arm 55 engages a pin 5S on arm 5l integral with the stop lever 58, to thereby rotate stop lever 5S counterclockwse about its pivot 59. This rotation disengages the channel shaped lug 60 of stop lever 58 from the right hand one of a pair of detents 6l on cam 62. An impeller arm 63, in conta-ct with an impeller lug S4 on cam 62 is constantly urged in a clockwise directicn by means of a spring E5 and upon the disengagement of a channel shaped lug of the stop lever from a detent El of the cam, the iinpeiler arm S3, by -means of its contact with impeller lug 54, rotates the cam 52, slightly in a clockwise direction, until it engages the constantly rotating power roller B which is rotated about the stationary shaft 5? by means of the typewriter motor (not shown), in a manner well known in the art. The cam 62 by means of its engagement with power roller 56 is thereupon rotated a full half revolution clockwise, until the other detent tl, of the pair of detente on cam S2, engages the channel shaped lug Si! of stop lever Sii, in a weil known manner. Cam t2 is pivotally mounted by its axis t3 upon an arm 59 oi a bell crank 'F9 which in turn is mounted for oscillation about a pivot il, and upon such rotation of cam 52, its eccentric contour causes a lateral movement of the cam axis 68 to thereby oscillate bell crank 'lil in a counterciockwise direction. Such oscillation causes a downward movement of the ta of bell vcrank 'Iii to pull down a link 72, to rotate bell crank 'I3 against the force of spring 'i4 to actuate link 'l5 to oscillate bell crank 'le to in turn actuate the typebar 'il to strike one of the type characters 'It against the record 552 (Fig. l) in a manner well known in the art.

Also upon the rotation of cam 62 and consequent lateral movement of the cam axis, a roller 19 carried by the lower end of arm 69, is moved laterally to the right, as viewed in Fig. 2. Roller 'I9 is in engagement with a shoulder aus on a permutation slider 8c mounted on suitable slotted guide bars 8i secured to the frame (not shown) of the typewriter unit. Each slider is provided with spaced studs 82 extending outwardly and alternately from one side and the other of the slider and such studs are carried on both the top and bottom horizontal bars Bilt and 8%, respectively, of the slider member. Rotatably mounted on each of a plurality of code rockshafts 83, and alternately on opposite sides of the sliders, are the diagrammatically represented rockshaft actuating clips 84. These clips 84 are removably attached to the rockshafts, as described in detail later, the relative number and disposition of the clips in the assembly for each slider being dependent upon the particular code value of the character whose character key `controls the respective slider member. Therefore, upon depression of any chosen character key, the respective code rockshafts 83, to which the clips are attached, will be rotated, as

described presently, and in such a direction that the particular code permutation representing the character, will be set up by the respective permutation switches. It is to be particularly noted, that the universal bail rockshaft 83UB is always actuated by means of a clip 84 to permit its controlled contacts to move momentarily out of engagement to thereby produce a spacing condition on the signal channel, this rockshaft 83UB being diagrammatically illustrated as spring biased by means of a coil spring 85 acting through its associated clip 84 so that the rookshaft and slider 88 are returned to their original positions upon completion of the half revolution of cam 62.

Upon the above described lateral movement of the cam axis, the roller 19 moves the slider 80 to the right against the spring bias effect of spring 35 acting through clip 84 and its cooperating stud,ywhereby the studs carried b-y the slider actuate the associated clips and rotate the universal bail rockshaft 83UB and such code rockshafts 83, as is required to set up the particular signal. Such actuation of the clips rotates the associated rockshafts to actuate the diagrammatically represented switch operating elements 88UB and 86 to permit the associated switch arm or tongue 8'lUX of the universal bail rockshaft to move out of engagement with its associated switch arm BlUXa, and to move the associated switch arms or tongues 81 of the code rockshafts selectively into engagement with the associated switch arms 8'.'a, dependent upon the direction of rotation of the code rockshafts, respectively. It is to be particularly noted, that all code permutation signal settings are dilerentially produced and only those rockshafts are actuated, which require a change from the setting for the previously typed character. If the same letter is typed twice in succession, the corresponding slider is twice actuated, but only the universal bail rockshaft is rotated since the remaining rockshafts remain in their previously set position, as described in detail later. Thus, such permutation switch elements 81a and 81 as are moved into engagement, close a circuit from the positive side of a D. C. source Bl, as illustrated diagrammatically in Fig, 2 and the universal bail likewise opens a circuit to the positive side of the same source by separation of its pair of contacts 8IUX and lUXa, in series, with a pair of relay controlled contacts 88 and 88a, between the positive side or" said source and the distributor assembly.

The particular permutation of switches closed will thereby supply positive potential to the distributor assembly, including the novel start-stop single revolution clutch mechanism, send-receive relay and line relay, diagrammatically illustrated only, in Fig. 2, which, in turn, at the proper time and in proper sequence will transmit the code signals through the signal channel represented by the line, to the distributor assembly at the receive station, in a manner to be described in detail later. Upon completion of a full half revolution of the cam 62, the universal bail rockshaft 83UB is returned to its normal position by spring 85, thereby producing closure of contacts lUX and lUXa but the code rocksha'fts 83 are retained in their actuated positions by coacting detent pins, as described later, until depression of another character key bar. It is seen, therefore, that in a simple and direct manner, a standard oiilce typewriter, such as the Electromatic typewriter can be utilized, to locally type a character and to set up a code signal hav"- ing a desired permutation of components, characteristic of theselected character, which signal may be transmitted over the signal channel represented by the line, by the novel means now to be described and which may be utilized at a remote typewriter to type the same character.

The novel communication system comprising the present invention consists of novel permutation means at each station for composing or setting up a series of code signals representative of the characters to be remotely typed, a novel distributor assembly, comprising in addition to a send-receive relay and a line relay, novel distributor mechanism and a start-stop single revolution clutch mechanism, controlled by the line relay, to in turn control the operation of the distributor mechanism at the same station. The code signal set up by the permutation unit is sequentially transmitted, by the sending distributor to maintain synchronism between the distributor mechanisms at the local station and at the remote stations and to produce typing of the desired character or performance of the desired function, the remote distributor mechanism controlling novel translator means utilizing the signal elements received to thereby operate that solenoid only, corresponding to the character key depressed at the sending station.

A general description coordinated by reference to the respective figures of the drawings, will iirst be given, of the essential elements of a complete communication system and then a detailed description of the sending or transmitting mechanism and circuits and of the receiving mechanism and circuits including a detailed description of the respective component elements of these mechanisms and circuits will be given, which will be followed by a detailed description of the operation of the system including transmission, reception, break-in and other communication functions.

General description A plurality of typewriters, such as the machine at station A and the machine at station B (Fig. 1) with their respective associated electrical elements, distributor assembly including start-stop mechanism and various control elements are interconnected to comprise the novel teleprinting communication system. 'Ihe system operates on the start-stop, Baudot 6-unit code principle, and by means of associated circuits and mechanisms, two-way transmission of messages over a single channel is provided.

Novel permutation mechanism, as shown in detail in Figs. 8 to 14, inclusive, controlled in the manner as diagrammatically illustrated in Fig. 2, is utilized to open the line circuit to produce the start signal, to set up a code signal of separate signal components, characteristic of the character represented by the chosen depressed key and to produce a stop signal. The particular permutation switch elements which are placed in a closed circuit relation by the permutation mechanism close a circuit up to contacts, as shown in Fig. 4, which contacts are sequentially controlled, by the transmitting distributor cams which are mounted on the startstop shaft along with the receive cams and control cams.

Upon depression of a chosen character key bar to thereby locally type the character and simultaneously set up the code signal representative of that character, the universal bail contacts are operated t open the line circuit and thereby release the novel clutch and start-stop mechanisms of Figs. 25 and 26 or of Figs. 27-35, inclusive, whereby the start-stop shaft is rotated one complete revolution, only, and the code signal set up by the permutation unit is sequentially transmitted to the line by means of the distributor cams and the send-receive relay, as diagrainmatically illustrated in Fig. 4. The line signals received at the distributor assembly of typewriter B (Fig. l) control a shuttle magnet (Figs. 7 and 17) to position selectively the tumblers of the novel selector mechanism of Figs. 15, 17, 18 and 22 or of the novel selector mechanism of Figs. 23 and 24, which tumblers selectively set the cascade switch elements of the translater, as illustrated in Fig. 7, so that the particular key solenoid KS only, which corresponds to the chosen character, is energized, thereby (Fig. 2) pulling down the key bar of the chosen character key at station B (Fig. l) and producing remote typing of the chosen character.

Transmitting mechanism The transmitting mechanism comprises a novel permutation unit controlled by the key bars oi the transmitting typewriter, which permutation unit controls circuits leading to contacts controlled by transmitting cams of the distributor mechanism. The circuits closed by the transmitting distributor cams transmit code elements of the signal to a send-receive relay at the send station which relay controls the transmission of the signal elements through a line relay at the sending station and to a line relay at the receiving station. The line relay at the sending station, controls the operation of a novel startstop single revolution clutch mechanism which, in turn, rcontrols the operation of the distributor mechanism. The construction of the permutation unit, the transmitting distributor unit of the distributor assembly, the several start-stop single revolution clutch mechanism modiiicatons and the shift and carriage release mechanisms will now be described in detail.

Referring to Figs. 8 to 14, inclusive, there is disclosed therein details 0f the elements comprising the novel permutation unit and the manner of assembly thereof. In Fig. 8 is illustrated the manner of mounting the several code rockshafts and the universal bail rockshaft. Each of the code rockshafts 83 comprises a cylindrical element, axially bored at each end to form openings 83a into which project the pivot screws 89, each mounted in a support plate 89a, thereby rotatably supporting the individual rockshafts. Each rockshaft 83 is provided with a plurality of pairs of slots 83s. As shown in Figs. l0 and 11, a plurality of rockshaft operating clips 84 are detachably mounted on the individual rockshafts by insertion of the legs 84a and 84h of the clips into the respective slots comprising each pair. The rounded end 84o on the leg 84h of each clip locks the clip to the rockshaft after insertion thereof into the slots. Each clip is provided with an oiiset 84d (Fig. 1l) so that the clips can be mounted to cooperate with either the lugs 82 on one side of the slider or with the lugs on the opposite side of the slider, as is seen in Fig. l1. Further, the

clips are mounted on the respective shafts either in upright or in inverted position, as is illustrated in Fig. 10 and as diagrammatically indicated in by the particular code value of the character or function whose key controls the slider. It is to be particularly noted, that as certain of the pairs of contacts controlled by the code rockshafts, are closed, others are simultaneously opened, so that only those pairs of contacts corresponding to the code value of the particular character or function, remain closed, as the slider (Fig. 2) returns to its original position under the control of the torque bias spring 85. Mounted on both the top and bottom bars 89t and 80h, respectively, of the slider 89, are the studs 82 attached alternately to opposite sides of the respective bars, as illustrated in Figs. 19 and 11. The single elongated arm of the clips 84 abuts these lugs, in one position of the rockshafts, so that upon lateral movement of the slider 80, to the right as viewed in Fig. 10, certain of the code rockshafts are rotated clockwise by the upwardly directed, single elongated arms of the clips, respectively, and the remaining code rockshafts are rotated counterclockwise by the downwardly directed single elongated arms. It is assumed, merely for purposes of clarity in description, that such clockwise rotation produces separation of the control contacts while counterclockwise rotation moves the contacts into engagement.

Each code rockshaft is further provided with an axially extending elongated notch 83h formed in the outer periphery of the rockshaft at one end thereof, and with a shorter axially extending notch 83e, formed in the outer periphery of the rockshaft, at the opposite end thereof, as illustrated in Fig. 9.

The universal bail rockshaft 83UB (Fig. 8) is provided with a portion of reduced diameter 83rd at one end, extending axially of the shaft and a slot 83s, extending axially of the shaft, is formed in the outer periphery of this reduced portion. A coil bias spring 85 is slipped over the reduced portion before the shaft is mounted on its supporting pivot screws 89. One end of the coil spring terminates in a portion 85a, extending radially inwards, which is Iitted into the axially extending slot 83s, as the coil spring is slid into position over the reduced portion 83rd. The opposite end of the coil spring 85 comprises a radially extending portion 85h which extends laterally to the right, as viewed in Fig. 8, and under the pivot screw 89 of the adjacent code rockshaft. By rotating the universal bail rockshaft before the clips are inserted and then inserting the clips to hold the coil spring in its coiled position, an adjustable amount of torque can be produced by the universal bail rockshaft and spring assembly so that the rockshaft contacts are positively closed with a desired force by the spring bias of the universal bail rockshaft upon release of the associated slider 89 by the roller 'I9 (Fig. 2).

In Figs. 12, 13 and 14 are illustrated the assembly and coaction of the code rockshafts, notches, contact actuating push pins, contacts and detent pins. A permutation switch actuating element or push pin 8S (Fig. 12) having an insulated end 86a is mounted for vertical movement, as viewed in Fig. 12, in openings 90b and 99a in the support and guide plates 9| and 92, respectively, the uninsulated lower end of the push pin fitting into the axially extending notch 83h in a code rockshaft 83 or in the universal bail rockshaft, while the insulated end abuts the self, spring biased blade contact 91 held in spaced relation from the cooperating blade contact 81a, by well known insulating support means 93. In

Fig. 12, the pushY pin is shown as entered in the elongated'. axially extendingv notch 83h so that the lower blade contact 81 is out of engagement with the cooperating blade 81a. In Fig. 13, the push pin 86 is shown in its actuated position which positionis assumed upon counterclockwise rotation of the rockshaftwhereby the lower end of theV push pin is forced out of the notch 83h andonto the regular outer periphery of the rockshaft whereby the push pin is thereby moved bodily upwards, carrying the lower contact 81 into engagement with contact 81a.

In Fig. I4, are illustrated the relative positions of the detent pin and the axial slot at the outer end of the rockshaft 83. As is seen in Fig. 9, the longer axially extending notch, cooperating with the push pin, is spaced circumferentially about the periphery of the code rockshaft with respect to the shorterV slot on the opposite end of the shaft, which shorterslot cooperates with the detent pin. As the rockshaft isV rotated counterclockwise, as viewed in Figs. 12 and 13, the notch 83h assumes the position of Fig. 13 while the notch 83c assumes the position of 83h in Fig. 12. A detent pin 94 having a flanged portion 94a integral therewith is mounted for vertical movement in. the openings 95a and 951) in the support and guide plates 98 and 91, respectively. A coil spring 98 abuts thesupport plate 96 at one end thereof and exerts a downward force upon the flanged portion 94a thereby urging the flange towardsjthe guide plate 91 and holding the lower end of the detent pin in the notch 83e,V as is seen in Fig. 14. It is seen, therefore, that upon rotation of a shaft 83, lthe notch 83D is moved out of engagement with the cooperating push pin 88 and theouter periphery ofl the rockshaft is moved intomengagement with4 the push pin to thereby move the pin vertically, while'the notch 83C is alignedupon such rotation, with the spring bias detent pin 94 which pin 94 enters notch 83C as shown in Fig. 12 `and the rockshaft is therefore positively held in its rotated position until forced backto its initial position by a slider actuated clip.

The operation of the permutation unit is as follows: Upon lateral movement to the right, for example, of the slider 88 as viewed in Fig. 2, the slider and its studs 82 are moved to the right. Such movement actuates the clips 84 to rotate the respective code rockshafts either clockwise or counterclockwise depending upon the particular assembly of the clips for the actuated slider. Counterclockwise rotation of certain of the code rockshafts, produces closures of the cooperating contacts controlled thereby while clockwise rotation of the other rockshafts permits the cooperating contacts to open. As Vcertain of the rockshafts are rotated counterclockwise to thereby close the associated contactsA (Fig. 13) the associated detent pin is aligned with a slot 83o (Fig. 14) and the end of the spring urged detent pin enters the slot to positively hold the rockshaft in its new, contact closing position. As other rockshafts are rotated clockwise, the notches 83a are moved out of alignment with the `associated detent pins and the shafts assume the position as shown in Fig. 12 with the contacts 81 and 81a out of engagement. The Contact operating pins engaging with their respective notches now serve in the same capacity as did the detent pins in the prior positions of the rockshafts. A certain desired permutation of the pairs of contacts remains closed after slider 8U moves back to its initial position under the bias of the torque spring 85.

The universal bail rockshaft 83UB is rotated against the torque exerted by coil spring 85, by means of its clip 84 and associated lug 82 upon lateral movement of any slider 88, to the right, to thereby open its associated contacts 81UX, 81U`Xa (Fig. 2) and momentarily open the line, as will be explained in detail later. Upon the return of slider 88 to its initial position, the spring 85 of the universal bail rockshaft rotates the rockshaft back to its initial position to thereby close its associated contacts 81UX and 81UXa-. It is to be noted that no detent pin and cooperating slotis provided for the universal bail rockshaft.

Upon the closure of any pairs of contacts 81, 1.a, a circuit is closed (Fig. 4) to the contacts controlled by the cams of the translation distributor unit of the send-receive mechanism, which mechanism wiil now be described in detail.

Referring to Figs. 15, 16, 17 and 19, the construction, assembly and operation of the distributor of the send-receive mechanism are illustrated therein. A plurality of transmission cams TI to T6, inclusive and control cams TC, TL and TP are mounted on the start-stop shaft 99 in position to be lubricated by oiler wicks OW (Fig. 16) along with the receive cams described later. Control cam TC controls contacts (Fig. 4) which, in turn, control the circuits of the control magnet, control cam TL (Fig. 6) controls the contacts which, in turn, control the circuit to a latch magnet. Transmission cams T| to T6, inclusive, (Fig. 4) control contacts connected in series between the permutation unit contacts and the send-receive relay while cams T4, T5 and T5 also control holding circuits (Fig. 7) for group magnets of the translator. Transmission cam TP (Fig. 7) controls contacts which, in turn, control the circuit providing energization of the particular key solenoid selected by the translator in response to a received code signal and also controls holding circuits for the group relays.

Referring to Figs. 15 and 17, the horizontal start-stop shaft 99 is transversely journaled in ball bearings |88 forced into suitable recesses bored in the vertical side plates |8| ofthe distributor mechanism. The start-stop shaft is intermittently driven by means of a novel startstop single revolution clutch mechanism |92 (described later) which is controlled by a startstop magnet assembly SSM. When the universal bail opens the line circuit, as described above, the magnet SSM is deenergized to thereby release the stop arm |83 (Fig. 17) 'Ihis release of the stop arm allows a spring |838 to rotate the arm I |13 counterclockwise, so that a pawl |84 (Fig. 15) attached to the stop arm |03 is moved out of the path of rotation of the stop pin HMB attached to a member of the start-stop clutch and into the path of stop pin |94A intercepting said stop pin to thereby arrest the rotation of the start-stop clutch to halt the startstop shaft in the preliminary stop position. When the start-stop magnet SSM is subsequently energized, the stop arm |83 is moved clockwise (Fig. 17) into the path of rotation of the stop pin IMB to thereby stop the start-stop shaft in the second or normal stop position.

The send or transmitting cam sleeve |85 is attached in any well known manner, such as by means of a set screw 98a, to the start-stop shaft 99 for rotation therewith. The cams TC, TL, Tl to T5, inclusive, and' TP are xed in a chosen 

